The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a recall alert on April 26 for nearly 8,220 pounds of frozen meat pizzas because they contained misbranding and an undeclared allergen.
According to a press release from the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the frozen meat pizzas contain soy, which is not stated on the product label.
Soy is one of the nine known major food allergens. Estimates of the prevalence of soy allergy range from 1 to 6 cases per 1,000 adults, according to the Soy Connection, which is a collaboration between health, nutrition, food industry experts, and U.S. soybean farmers.
The items subject to the recall were manufactured by 802 VT Frozen, in Newport, Vermont, between April 25, 2023, through April 25, 2024, and sold at stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, according to the USDA.
They were also distributed to fundraisers in those states, the agency said.
The USDA identified the product as the “802 VT Frozen Meat Crispy Wood-Fired Crust Handmade Pizza” in a 17.8-oz. cardboard box.
The product has best-by dates of April 25, 2024, through April 25, 2025.
Recalled Items Should Be Thrown Away
In total, approximately 8,221 pounds of frozen meat pizza are subject to the recall.FSIS said the problem with the products was identified during “routine verification activities.”
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the items subject to the recall, according to the USDA.
However, individuals who purchased the products and who are concerned about any illness or allergy should contact their health care provider, the department said.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers,” the press release read. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
A soy allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to soy protein, viewing it as a potentially harmful invader, much like it would react to bacteria or a virus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Soy Allergy Symptoms
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to soy may include stomach pains, itching and hives, and a cough, although in severe cases it can be deadly and lead to trouble breathing, swelling in the throat, and anaphylaxis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), soy is one of the most common food allergens among young children, with allergic reactions first appearing in infants and young children under 3.
However, many children outgrow their allergy during childhood, according to the association.
ACAAI recommends individuals are always well-prepared to treat an allergic reaction as they can be “unpredictable in severity” and may occur at any given moment. One way to do this is to ensure they carry an epinephrine autoinjector medical device, according to the association.
In a statement to the Democrat and Chronicle, 802 VT Frozen owner Hilarie Wright said the manufacturer takes its product and customer safety “very seriously” and that inspectors only identified a small amount of soy protein in the recalled items.
“We did a voluntary recall to look out for our customers,” she said. “There is a minimal amount of soy protein in our product.”
“That being said we are working to ensure correct labeling on our product moving forward,” Ms. Wright continued. “We have had zero complaints on our product.”
